Tokyo, August 25, 1998 - Honda Motor Co., Ltd. has announced the launch of the modified Gold Wing SE 1520cc heavyweight touring bike. The '99 export model will go on sale in Japan on October 30. The Gold Wing SE is manufactured by Honda Motor's US production subsidiary, Honda of America Manufacturing (HAM). The changes include body color and a variety of modifications designed to make the bike comply with new Japanese motorcycle exhaust emission regulations which will come into effect from October 1999.
The top-of-the-line ultimate Honda touring bike, the Gold Wing SE has been imported into Japan ever since the '88 models, and still proves popular today. The exhaust cleaning modifications comprise improvements to the carburetor, twinned with the incorporation of an exhaust air-injection system.
Gold Wing SE
The '99 Gold Wing SE import model features a new two-tone color combination exclusive to Japan. Pearl White and a Marble Pattern help give the bike a stylish, marble quality - a mark of real luxury.
Domestic annual sales target:
240 units
Main features of the '99 Gold Wing SE
- An exhaust gas cleaning system is fitted to enable the bike to comply with the new Japanese motorcycle exhaust emission regulations
The Gold Wing SE's super-smooth and very powerful liquid-cooled 4-stroke horizontally-opposed 6-cylinder engine has had several modifications made to its exhaust system, consisting of some improvements to the carburetor, twinned with the incorporation of an exhaust air-injection system. This latter system re-injects air into the exhaust ports to allow unburned pollutant gases such as hydrocarbons (HCs) and carbon monoxide (CO) to be oxidized. This greater degree of combustion reduces harmful emissions considerably. After the Honda VFR, which was launched in April 1998, the Gold Wing SE is the second bike to be released by Honda in Japan in the over-250cc class that complies with the impending exhaust emission regulations. - The luxury color combination is exclusive to the Japanese market
The Gold Wing SE is available in an exclusive two-tone color combination, the Pearl White and a Marble Pattern helps give the bike a stylish, luxurious, marble quality that is sure to heighten owner satisfaction.
Main specifications:
| Model | Gold Wing SE | |
| Type | Honda of America BC-SC22 | |
| Length x width x height | (m) | 2.615 x 0.955 x 1.495 |
| Wheelbase | (m) | 1.690 |
| Ground clearance | (m) | 0.115 |
| Seat height | (m) | 0.725 |
| Curb weight/dry weight | (kg) | 410/387 |
| No. of riders | (person) | 2 |
| Fuel economy (km/l) [60 km/h test on flat ground] |
26.1 | |
| Minimum turning radius | (m) | 3.1 |
| Engine type | SC22E liquid-cooled 4-cycle horizontally-opposed 6-cylinder OHC | |
| Displacement | (cm3) | 1,520 |
| Bore/stroke | (mm) | 71.0x64.0 |
| Compression ratio | 9.8 | |
| Maximum power output | (PS/rpm) | 97/5,000 (SAE) |
| Maximum torque | (kgm/rpm) | 15.2/4,000 (SAE) |
| Carburetor type | VDGW | |
| Starter | self-starter type | |
| Ignition | full-transistor battery ignition | |
| Lubrication | forced pressure and wet sump | |
| Oil capacity | (l) | 4.3 |
| Fuel tank capacity | (l) | 23 |
| Clutch | diaphragm spring | |
| Transmission | 5-speed return | |
| Gear ratios | 1st gear | 2.666 |
| 2nd gear | 1.722 | |
| 3rd gear | 1.291 | |
| 4th gear | 0.964 | |
| 5th gear | 0.758 | |
| Reverse | 8.846 | |
| Drive ratios (primary/final) | 1.591/0.971 x2.833 | |
| Rake (degrees)/trail (mm) | 30°00'/115 | |
| Tire sizes | Front | 130/70-18 63H |
| Rear | 160/80-16 75H | |
| Brakes | Front | hydraulic twin disc |
| Rear | hydraulic disc | |
| Suspension | Front | telescopic |
| Rear | swingarm | |
| Frame type | double cradle | |
(Max. power and torque figures are based on SAE-standard calculations).